Adrian College football falls to Franklin in Division III playoffs

Sunday

Nov 18, 2012 at 8:00 AM

Historic season comes to an end with 42-10 defeat

By David FrownfelderDaily Telegram Staff Writer

Adrian College supporters called for a black out at Saturday's game, but Franklin College found the power switch anyway. The Grizzlies defeated the Bulldogs 42-10 in the NCAA Division III playoff game at the Multi-sport Performance Stadium.

Franklin rolled up 511 yards of total offense, while limiting Adrian to 225 yards.

Grizzlies coach Mike Leonard said he wasn't surprised by the performance.

"Going back to 1964, all everybody has ever talked about was the offense we play here. It's still called the run-and-shoot, even if we don't run it strictly," he said. "Our defense tends to get overlooked, but it has been outstanding."

Franklin brought a nationally-ranked offense into the game, averaging nearly 42 points per game. However, all season, Adrian (9-2) had a defense that gave up about 11 points per game, and the fan base used the blackout theme for inspiration. However, the Grizzlies didn't let the electric atmosphere in the stadium deter them.

Adrian coach Jim Deere said Franklin (9-2) didn't do anything that wasn't expected, they just did it well. Deere credited Franklin's playoff experience with having a lot to do with the performance.

"They just know how to prepare for the playoffs," he said.

Adrian linebacker Deontae Bridgeman, who had 10 tackles in the game, said the team was confident it could win.

"When we stopped them in the first quarter, we got all excited, though maybe we got a little too happy," he said. "Then when Hunter went down, it was a battle to stay with them."

Junior linebacker Hunter Juntunen suffered a leg injury midway through the first quarter and didn't return. Deere said Wallen Augustin played well, but the team clearly missed Juntunen.

"He is the leader on defense. He makes the calls. When he went down, we just couldn't stay with them," Deere said. "I thought coming out after halftime we could get some momentum going, but we just didn't get it done."

Franklin quarterback Jonny West threw for 303 yards and four touchdown passes — three to Kyle Linville. West was able to spread the wealth around, hitting seven different receivers

For the game, Linville had nine catches for 176 yards. Leonard said there is no secret to the duo's success.

"They've been playing together since high school, so they know each other inside and out," he said. "It was the same high school I went to and I don't usually like to recruit friends' kids, but I'm awfully glad these two came to Franklin."

The game was scoreless after one quarter, but Franklin put four touchdowns on the board in the second, when Adrian scored all of its points. Just before the half, the Grizzlies were up 28-7 and driving for another score, when Bridgeman stepped in front of an intended receiver, picked off a West pass and weaved his way 71 yards to the Franklin 14-yard line. However, the Bulldogs had to settle for a half-ending, 26-yard field goal by Dustin Salliotte to pull to within 28-10.

Adrian got the ball to start the second half, and Deere felt his team could get back in the contest.

"I thought if we could score and hold them down a bit, we had a shot," he said.

The Grizzlies defense clamped down and held the Bulldogs offense in check. One player they were able to keep out of the end zone was Justin Hemm, three-time All-MIAA receiver. In a match-up of two prolific wide receivers, Hemm caught 12 passes for 119 yards.

Adrian managed only 52 yards on the ground, while quarterbacks Taylor Copacia and Aaron Tenney combined to hit 21 of 35 passes for 225 yards. The only Adrian touchdown was a 2-yard run by Kyle Smock, which cut Franklin's lead to 14-7.

"This just shows us that if we work hard next year, we can be back for the playoffs," Bridgeman said. "We're going to be OK."

Bridgeman and Juntunen will be seniors in 2013, and Adrian will have experience and talent up and down the lineup on both sides of the ball. That is something Deere said he will take comfort in, even if he is losing Hemm.

"I told the kids today you are disappointed, but tomorrow you reflect on what you have accomplished," he said.